Service held for retiring minister

September 9, 2013

SPRING MILLS - Since the Falling Waters Presbyterian Church was organized in 1745, there have only been 27 ministers - a fact that made it even harder for members to say goodbye Sunday morning as the Rev. John Cushwa preached his last sermon before retiring.

But approximately 150 church members, friends and family members gathered again in the afternoon for a formal Celebration of Ministry, when Cushwa was honored with prayers, words of praise and music before being officially released from his position.

In addition, there were participants from other local churches including First Presbyterian, Tuscarora Presbyterian and Mountain Chapel as well as the Shenandoah Presbytery. His young grandson, John Brooke Cushwa, offered a prayer of understanding and read a passage from the Bible.

Article Photos

Journal photo by Jenni VincentSunday was an important day for the Falling Waters Presbyterian Church as members, friends and family gathered for a special event marking the official retirement of the Rev. John Cushwa, right. Approximately 150 people attended the “Celebration of Ministry,” including the Rev. Dr. Brad Langdon, left. Following the ceremony, a chicken dinner was held at the church pavilion.

The Rev. Dr. Kathy Spitzer, a longtime friend who pastors the Arden United Methodist Church, termed the event "a great day of celebration" but also acknowledged the congregation's pain at losing Cushwa, who had been in this position since May 2006.

That loss is not unlike a kind of grieving, according to Spitzer, whose sermon also made audience members smile and even laugh out loud when she described their days together at seminary.

"John is leaving, God is not. God is in you. We may feel empty and wonder what we'll do without John, but this place is filled with the spirit of God. He was here before John and will continue to be," Spitzer said.

"Instead of being sad, you should be rejoicing about the years of ministry John's had with you. Also remember that his ministry will continue, but in other ways, and so will yours, too," she said.

Cushwa said he was touched to see how much his church members care about him. At one point, after a duet by Rachel Collins and MaggieBeth Ponton entitled "For Good," Cushwa - not unlike many others in the audience - had tears in his eyes.

"I didn't know what they were up to with that and it kind of took me by surprise. But they surprise me a lot here, because the spirit surprises you a lot and this place is full of the spirit. I have been fortunate for the past seven years just to be the conduit," Cushwa said.

He said it could take as much as 18 to 24 months before a new, permanent minister is named.

His wife, Jeanie, who serves as church choir director, smiled as she talked about the future and how they'll spend their days.

Noting that they already have six grandchildren, she said another one is on the way. They also enjoy traveling and have other hobbies that will keep them busy, she said.

"We just celebrated our 43rd wedding anniversary, so we have done a lot together, but we also know there is much more to come," she said, watching as her husband hugged a church member before bending down to touch a baby in a carrier.

"But this has been a wonderful church and it has wonderful people, so we are most grateful for the time we've spent here, too. They will always be with us in our hearts," she said.